Aphid feeding by lady beetles: higher consumption at higher temperature

Many animals are challenged to respond to rising temperature due to climate warming. In this respect, we performed a laboratory experiment to show the influence of rising temperature on the consumption of Acyrthosiphon pisum Harris (Hemiptera: Aphididae), a serious aphid pest, by three common lady beetle species (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae). We used climate chambers, representing current temperature and two forecasted warming scenarios of 3 degrees C and 5 degrees C. Larval Adalia bipunctata Linnaeus (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) and Coccinella septempunctata Linnaeus (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae), and adult A. bipunctata and Harmonia axyridis Pallas (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) consumed significantly more aphid biomass at rising temperature. Larvae and adults of all species tested consumed significantly more aphid biomass per body weight, and larval body weight gain of all species was significantly higher at rising temperature. The higher consumption of aphid biomass is likely due to a higher demand for energy of adults, and faster growth of larvae.